Drop One Hundred Twelve

Matthew 7:15 - 30

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (NASB1995).

Last week was the report regarding our Golden Delicious apple tree. This week, it is time to review the progress of the Red Delicious apple tree. The Red Delicious apple tree has yet to produce good fruit. And you would think after 2 years that we would give up on that tree having any good fruit. While reading about pruning and shaping apple trees the other day, I learned that is part of the reason this tree rarely has anything good upon it. This year with the abundance of growth of fruit, there were a couple good apples. It just needs to be transformed. It needs to be pruned and shaped to allow sunlight to shine through and air to circulate. The tree needs a caretaker. Just as we do.

Prior to accepting and following Christ, we are all like the bad tree and produce bad fruit. Without placing our faith in Christ, there is no hope of heaven. Once we come to Christ, repent of our sins (bad fruit), then the pruning and transformation can begin. Pruning is painful. Being reshaped is uncomfortable. Being refined is a process. Yes, once we recognize we are sinners and have no hope, God offers the gift of faith in Christ. Afterall, if we never sinned, what need is there of a Savior? Once we accept Christ as Savior, we are on the narrow path toward Heaven. We also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Does this mean that we will never sin again? Sadly, no. But it does mean we are loved. We can go to God the Father and begin again. He provides all we need to live the life He has for us.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us enough to not leave us lost in our brokenness. Thank You for providing a way out. May our lives be a living testament to Your power. May we not cling to what we once were but allow the Holy Spirit to take the lead and guide us. That which You cleanse, You will fill and use. “Take [our] lives and let [them] be consecrated Lord to Thee (Morgan, Robert J. (2003) Then Sings My Soul, “Take My Life and Let It Be”, p. 238).

In the Name of Jesus we pray,

AMEN